Advances and challenges in the assessment of decision-making capacity in older adults

Heather M. Francis; Lise Barry; Vincent Oxenham; Travis A. Wearne

doi:10.1016/j.ypsc.2025.02.013

Advances and challenges in the assessment of decision-making capacity in older adults

Heather M. Francis^*, Lise Barry, Vincent Oxenham, Travis A. Wearne

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

•Assessment of decision-making capacity is a complex and multifaceted process, requiring a thorough understanding of legal principles, medical evaluations, and ethical considerations.
•Assessors must balance the need to protect individuals from harm with the need to respect their autonomy and right to make decisions.
•Older adults are more susceptible to impaired decision-making capacity, due to the impact of aging and neurodegenerative diseases on cognitive processes involved in decision-making.
•Voluntary assisted dying and assessment of fitness to stand trial pose specific challenges in respecting individual autonomy and providing appropriate safeguards.

Original language	English
Journal	Advances in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypsc.2025.02.013
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 12 Apr 2025

Keywords

decision making capacity
older adults
voluntary assisted dying
fitness to stand trial

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10.1016/j.ypsc.2025.02.013

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AU - Oxenham, Vincent

AU - Wearne, Travis A.

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AB - •Assessment of decision-making capacity is a complex and multifaceted process, requiring a thorough understanding of legal principles, medical evaluations, and ethical considerations.•Assessors must balance the need to protect individuals from harm with the need to respect their autonomy and right to make decisions.•Older adults are more susceptible to impaired decision-making capacity, due to the impact of aging and neurodegenerative diseases on cognitive processes involved in decision-making.•Voluntary assisted dying and assessment of fitness to stand trial pose specific challenges in respecting individual autonomy and providing appropriate safeguards.

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KW - older adults

KW - voluntary assisted dying

KW - fitness to stand trial

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JO - Advances in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

JF - Advances in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

ER -

Advances and challenges in the assessment of decision-making capacity in older adults

Abstract

Keywords

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